Interval timer switch



March 29, 1938.

INTERVAL TlMER SWLTCH Filed Aug. 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Frederick Lux. rW

A770 EY l/m 1 ,un

March 29, 1938. F LUX 2,112,654

INTERVAL TIMER SWITCH -Filed Aug. 28,"1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 i' n] 1 /I` Y "l 73 83 INVENTOR F vedevich Lux Patented Mar. `2b9, 1938 f PATENT OFFICE INTERVAL TIMER SWITCH Frederick Lux, Waterbury, Conn., assignor to Lux Clock Manufacturing Company', Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application August 28, 1934, Serial No. 741,801

18 Claims.

This invention relates'to time-controlled apparatus, and more particularly to an interval timer adapted to operate a switch mechanism after the expiration of av predetermined period of time.

One object'of this invention is to provide an electric switch mechanism which is controlled by a clock movement and has associated therewith a manually adjustable pointer for the dual purpose of closing the circuit through the switch, and winding the clock movement to cause it to operate said switch after any desired length of time.

A further object is to provide a time-controlled switch of the above nature in which the pointer is associated with means for initially locking it on the outside of the dial, vmaking it necessary to press the pointer against the dial to close the electrical circuit before the pointer may be turned to the desired time interval setting, means being also provided whereby the pointer may be turned backwardly in case it may have been set to operate at a greater time interval than desired.

A further object is to provide an interval timer of the -above nature having two independent switches which are simultaneously operated by the clock mechanism, whereby various types of electric switch connections may be accomplished.

A further object is to provide an interval timer of the above nature which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and manipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance, and very eicient and durable in use.

Withthese and other objects in view there have been illustrated on the accompanying drawings two forms in which the invention may be conveniently embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the interval timer.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the same.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the dial and the pointer locking clip.

Fig. 4 is a. detail perspective view of the cam member and associated locking block.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the clock casing,showing the switch mechanism connected as .a double pole switch, the view being taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along ,as bakelitef (Cl. 20G-37) the line 6 6 of Fig. 5, and showing the switch in closed or operative position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line I-l of Fig. 5, showing the switch in open or inoperative position. 5

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the switch and circuit, showing the same connected as a single pole switch.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the same, showing the connections fora doublesingle lo pole switch.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the same as it appears when connected as a double break single pole switch.

Fig. i1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a.15 modified form of time switch in which the clockwork mechanism is rigidly held in the. clock frame, and the pointer shaft is movablewith respect to same.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral I Ii indicates a cup-shaped clock casing preferably made of molded insulating composition, such The casing I0 has an open rear 25 end and a closed front end II which constitutes the clock dial, having the usual time-indicating scale I2 marked thereupon, herein illustrated as being graduated to indicate the sixty minutes of an hour, as shown in Fig. 1. 30

'Ihe clock casing I0 is adapted to rest with its back upon a flat surface, such as a table top I3, and has a two-conductor lead-in cord I4 entering the casing I0, and a similar lead-ou cord I5 passing out of said casing at the diam- 35 metrically opposite side. The lead-in cord I4 is provided with a two-prong plug I6 for engagement in any convenient Wall outlet I'l. The lead-ou cord: I5, however, may be provided with a plug socket I5a for completing the electrical circuit through any desired power consuming device, not shown.

The mechanism of the clock includes a spring motor generally indicated by the numeral I8, 45 and a pair of motor plates I9, Isa, held in rigid spaced relationship by pillars 20. The upper and lower portions of the motor plates are provided with alined apertures for slidable engagement upon a. pair of horizontal upper and lower posts 2l and 22. The forward ends of the posts 2| and 22 are anchored as by heading over their reduced ends 2Ia and 22a to a front metal plate 23 positioned within the cylindrical chamber of the casing III, and detachably secured to plate 23.

the back of the clock face II, as by means of a pair of screws 24.

'Ihe rear ends of the posts 2| and 22 are provided with reduced threaded extremities 25 carrying nuts 26 for detachable engagement with a rear circular plate 21. The rear plate 21 is preferably made of three connected sheets of laminated bakelite and is adapted to t into an annular groove 28 provided in the open rear end of the casing I0.

It is to be noted from the above construction that the motor unit I8 will be slidable along vthe supporting posts 2| and 22, and said posts 2| and 22 with the front and rear plates 23 and 21 constitute a motor and switch supporting frame which may be inserted or removed as a unit from the casing whenever desired by merely removing the screws 24.

'I'he clock motor I8 is driven by a main coil spring 29 connected at its inner end to a main shaft 30. The main shaft 30 is rotatably journaled in the slidable motor plates I9 and |9a, and is provided with a reduced squared shank 3| which extends forwardly through a suitable aperture 32 provided in the clock face I and adjacent metal A bushing 33 carrying an indicating pointer 34 is non-rotatively fitted upon the forward end of the squared shank 3|.

The indicating pointer 34 is located in front of the dial face I I and is provided with a rectangular handle 35 preferably constructed of insulating material for facilitating the manipulation of said pointer and clock mechanism. The handle 35 is adapted to be held against the front surface of the pointer by means of a fillister-head bushing screw 36 located in a socket 31 in said knob 35 and detachably engaging the reduced threaded end 38 of the squared shank 3|.

In order to prevent the handle 35 from twisting relative to the pointer 34, a pair of projecting studs 39 are made rigid to the front surface of the pointer and are adapted to iit'into alined sockets 40 provided in the adjacent surface of said handle 35.

To successively close the switch mechanism 4| and Wind the spring 29, it will be necessary to rst press the handle 35 inwardly tothe dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, and then to rotate said handle in a clockwise directionuntil the pointer reaches the desired time at which the switch 4| is to open. The power from the main spring 29 is delivered to the main shaft 38 through a friction slipping mechanism 42 in a well known manner, which construction permits the turning of the indicating pointer 34 and the shaft 30 in either direction independently of the driving gear without injuring the motor unit I8.

' The pointer carrying bushing 33 in its assembly upon the squared shank 3| is abutted against an intermediate sleeve bushing 43 loosely surrounding said shank 3|, which in turn is abutted against the adjacent face of a cam disc 44 nonrotatively mounted upon the squared -shank 3|.

' 'Ihe cam 44 abuts against the shoulder formed at the junction of the round main shaft 38 and the squared shank 3|. This construction causes the motor unit I8 to be moved upon the supporting posts 2| and 22 whenever the pointer knob 35 isdepressed.

In order to hold the clock movement |8 in depressed position, the cam disc 44 is provided with a radial rectangular recess 45 which is normally adapted to t about a stop block 46 secured to the rear face of the frontplate 23, as by an integral rivet 48. It will be obvious from this construction that when the handle 35 is depressed, the cam 44 will be forced rearwardly with the shaft 38 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. The locking recess 45 in the cam disc 44 will then clear thestop block 45, permitting the handle 35 and pointer 34 to be rotated clockwise to any desired position.

To lock the indicating pointer 34 and handle 35 in their initial or zero position, provision is made of a locking clip 49 located on the clock face as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The clip 49 comprises an inverted U-shaped body member 50 having a pair of radial inner pointer-embracing lugs 5I and 52. The bottom legs of the locking clip 49 are provided with a pair of depending lugs 53 which llt into sockets 54 formed in the dial face I, said lugs preventing the locking clip from twisting. The clip is held in position upon the dial plate by a single screw 55.

'I'he right-hand pointer engaging lug 52 is cut away at its bottom edge to allow the pointer 34 to pass it when the handle 35 is depressed. The left-hand lug 5I liesv in contact with the face of the dial and prevents the pointer 34 from being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction beyond the zero point, and also prevents it from being rotated more than one revolution in a clockwise direction.

Switch mechanism The switch mechanism 4|,previously referred to, is adapted to be actuated by a floating depressor plate 56 of substantially thick insulating material for making and breaking the circuit through a pair of spaced lead-in angular connection terminal brackets 51 and 58, and a pair of lead-out connection terminal brackets 59 and 68 by means of a pair of movable curved spring contact strips 61| and 62 adapted to be engaged by said floating plate 56. The lead-in terminals 51 and 56 are provided with upstanding lugs 51a and 58a having binding posts .63 and 63a screwed therein to make an electrical connection to a pair of conductors 64 and 65 of the lead-in cord I4, as shown in Fig. 5.

'I'he spring contact strips 6| and 62 are provided at their fixed ends with flattened extremities 68a which are adapted to lie in fiat contact with said lead-in" terminals 51 and 58, said parts being held permanently on the inner face of the rear plate 21 by means of a pair of forwardly extending guide pins 66 having reduced rear shanks 61 provided with heads 68 seated in apertures formed within the laminated rear plate 21.

The floating depressor plate 56 is preferably provided with oppositely curved ends 69 and 69a having central recesses 18 adapted to slidably embrace the posts 2| and 22. 'Ihe upper end of the ioating plate 56 is provided with a pair of side apertures 1| in which the guide pins 66 are slidably tted, and said insulating plate 56 is adapted to be normally pressed forward by means of a pair of yhelical compression springs 12 surrounding said pins 65. The lower end of the iioating plate 56 is also urged forwardly by the free ends cof the spring contact strips 6| and 62.

In order to loosely connect the floating plate 56 with the motor unit |8,'provision is made of a thrust block 13 preferably formed integral with the front face of said plate 56 in a central position. 'I'he block 13 is provided with a countersunk socket 14 for receiving the reduced end 15 oi' the main shaft 3l. This construction limits the forward movement of the insulating fioating plate 56 which is normally held in equilibrium in the position shown in Fig. 2 under the influence of the springs 12 and resilient spring contact strips 6I and 62.

The lower extremities of each spring 6I and 62 are provided with contact buttons 16, preferably of silver. and adapted to engage with similar stationary buttons 'I1 positioned on the adjacent surfaces of the "lead-out terminals 59, 60. 'I'he fixed contact buttons 'II are provided with reduced Shanks 'I'Ia (see Fig. 7), secured by heads 'IIb within apertures formed in the laminated back plate 21.

'The "lead-out terminal brackets 59 and 6D are each formed with upstanding lugs 59a and 60a, mounted in which are a pair of threaded binding posts 'I8 and 18a for connection to a pair of conductors I9 and 88 of the lead-out -cord I5.. 'I'he lead-in terminal brackets 5l and 58 and the lead-out terminal brackets 59 and 60 are held against twisting by means of rivets 8|.

While the switch 4I is illustrated in Figs. i to 7 as connected for a double pole switch, the construction of said switch is not limited to this connection, but may also be used as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. In Fig. 8, by eliminating one of the switch blades 62 from the circuit, the switch may be connected as a single pole switch. Fig. 9 shows the switch connected as a double single pole switch, whereby two power consuming devices may be simultaneously operated by the same time clock. Fig. l0 shows the switch connected as a "double-break single pole switch, in which iormthe arcing of the switch is materially reduced.

Operation In operation, the timer switch will rst be ncluded in an electrical circuit, such as shown in Fig. l, after which the indicating pointer 38 and the handle 35 will be manually depressed sufficiently to clear the lug 52 of the locking clip 49. The handle and pointer will then be rotated in a clockwise direction to the desired time interval indication, at the lapse of which the cir-= cuit is to be opened.

It is to be understood that the device may be set to operate for any interval of time from a fraction of a minute up to the maximum range of the clock mechanism.

During the operation described above, the cam disc 44 will be unlocked from the stop block '46, and the spring 29 will be wound to furnish power for driving the clockmovement and returning the pointer 34 and handle 35 to their initial positions. The camdisc 44 will remain in the closed circuit position shown in Fig. 4 until the pointer has reached zero, at which time the slot 45 on said cam disc will come into alinement with the stop block 46, and permit theswitch to be restored by spring action to open circuit position.

It is to be noted at this point that the construction of Athe switch mechanism 4I and the controlling cam M is such that the space included between the contact buttons 'I6 and 'I'I in their normal separated position is somewhat less than the height ofthe stop-block 46. Consequently, in pushing in on the handle 35, the buttons 'I6 and 'I1 are contacted to close the circuit before the cam disc. has cleared the stop-block 46,

and further movement inwardly of the knob 35 is necessary to unlock the cam M from said block 46 so as to permit turning of the same. During this further movement inwardly, the upper end plate 56 will be tilted out of its normal vertical position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, to assume an inclined position as indicated by dotted lines in Fig.' 6.

One advantage of the present invention is that minor variations in size of the several coacting parts due to manufacture or wear will be compensated for without affecting the working qualities in any way.

Fig. 11 shows a modiiied form of construction wherein the motor unit I8 is held in a xed position, and the main shaft 82 may be moved laterally independently of said unit I8. The motor unit I8 is mounted upon a tubular arbor 83 within which the main shaft 82 is slidably tted. The motor plates I9 and I 9a are supported upon posts 84 secured to the front and rear plates 23 and 2l similar to the posts ZI and 22 in the rst form. The post 84, however, has a reduced seetion 85 upon which the motor plate I9 is held in assembled position, as by means of a pair of spacing sleeves 86.

In order to connect the stationary motor it with the axially movable shaft 82, said shaft 82 is provided with an intermediate projecting transverse pin 8l', which is adapted to slidably engage in a pair of opposed elongated slots it in the tubular arbor 83. Otherwise, the construction of the modied form i-s identical with the first form of the invention.

While there have been disclosed in this specifcation two forms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that these :forms are shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specic disclosures but may be modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

l. In an electric time-controlled switch, a frame, a floating longitudinally movable selfcontained spring motor clock movement mounted in said frame, a shaft to which said clock movement is rigidly secured for axial movement therewith, but being rotatable relatively thereto, driven by said movement and projecting out of said frame, a setting handle and pointer on said shaft, an electric switch located in said frame, means connected to said shaft for closing said switch when said handle shaft and movement are axially depressed, and means to hold said shaft in depressed position and said switch closed during the operation of said clock movement.

2. In an electric time-controlled switch, a frame, a self-contained clock movement slidably and longitudinally mounted in said frame, a shaft movable longitudinally with said movement but rotatable with respect thereto and carrying a setting handle and an indicator, a switch mounted in said frame, switch closing means responsive to the manual movement of said handle and movable with said shaft, and means for holding said .shaft in closed circuit position for maintaining said switch closed during the loperation of said clock movement;

3'. In an electric time-controlled switch, a frame, a selfcontained clock movement movably mounted to slide longitudinally in said frame, a

shaft movable longitudinally with said movement but rotatable with respect thereto and carrying a setting handle, a switch mounted in said frame, switch closing means responsive to the manual movement of said handle and movable with said clock movement.

4. In an electric time switch, a base having a projecting stud, a spring metal strip having one end mounted on said stud, said strip having a movable contact on its free end, a fixed contact in alinement with said movable contact, an insulating tilting plate engaging said strip and having an aperture guided by said stud, a spring surrounding said stud and pressing against said plate whereby said plate may be tilted beyond circuit closing position.

5. In an ,electric time switch, a frame, a selfcontained clock movement longitudinally slidable in said frame, a stationary switch contact carried by said frame, a movable contact actuated by the sliding of said clock movement, and a depressor plate spring-pressed toward said clock movement and being located between said clock movement andsaid movable contact for opening and closing the circuit through the switch coincident with the sliding of said clock movement. y

6. In a time switch, a slidable clock movement, a stationary contact, a movable contact, and a floating plate located between said clock movement and said movable contact and actuated by the sliding of said clock movement for opening and closing said switch, spring means for pressing both ends of said plate toward said clock movement, said plate being adapted to tilt around said fixed contact as an axis after the switch has been closed to compensate for minor variations in size of the working parts.

7. In an electric time switch, a clock frame having a pair of rods extending from the iront and rear thereof, a self-contained clock movevment mounted to slide longitudinally upon said rods and having a main shaft provided with a handle and an indicator outside the clock dial, means initially in the path of said indicator to prevent rotation thereof until said handle and indicator are depressed, and a switch member carried by said clock movement adapted to close the circuit through a power consuming device when said handle and indicator are depressed.

8. In an electric time switch, a clock casing, a self-contained clock movement mounted to slide longitudinally in said casing and having a main shaft, a handle and indicating means on the forward end of said shaft associated with the dial of said clock, means initially-in the path of said indicating means to prevent rotation thereof until said handle and indicating means are depressed, a switch, andmeans responsive to the sliding motion of said clock movement as a unit for closing said switch.

9. In an. electric time switch, a clock frame having a dial face, a self-contained clock movement mounted for sliding movement longitudinally in said frame and having a main shaft to which said clock movement is rigidly secured for axial movement therewith. but being rotatable relatively thereto, a switch mechanism located in said frame and responsive to the sliding of said clock movement, and means for holding said clock movement in circuit closing position during the predetermined period of time forwhich it is set. v ld10. In an electric time switch, a frame having a dial face, a clock movement mounted to slide in said frame and having a main shaft, a handle and pointer carried on the forward end of said shaft in front of said dial face, a switch mechanism adapted to be operated with the sliding of said clock movement, means for holding said clock movement in switch closing position during the predetermined period of time for which said clock movement is set, said means comprising a raised block mounted on said frame, and a cooperating cam member carried by said shaft and having a notch for engagement with said block for holding said movement in inactive position.

l1. In an electric time switch, a frame, a selfcontained clock movement slidable longitudinally as a unit in said frame, a stationary contact button, a spring strip fixed at one end to said frame and having a mova-ble contact button on the free end thereof, and a floating depressor plate spring-pressed toward said clock movement and being interposed between said slidable clock movement and said spring strip for bringing said movable contact into engagement with said stationary contact when said clock movement is moved longitudinally as a unit.

12. In an electric time switch, a frame, a selfcontained clock movement movable longitudinally as a unit in said frame, an electric switch comprising a pair of fixed contacts, a pair of spring strips having movable contacts and normally out of contact with said xed contacts, and a switch closing member engageable by said clock movement for pressing said movable contacts against said fixed contacts.

13. In an electric time switch, a frame, a spring motor clock movement slidably mounted Ito move longitudinally in said frame, an electric switch comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, a depressor plate spring-pressed toward said clock movement and being interposed between said clock movement and said movable contact for forcingthe latter against saidlstationary contact when said clock movement is moved.

14. In an electric time-controlled switch, a base, a timer, means for setting said timer, a fixed contact on said base, a spring strip secured at one end tc said base at a distance from said fixed contact, said spring strip having a movable contact on its free end in alinement with said fixed contact, a tiltable plate for flexing said strip to bring said movable contact into engagement with said iixed contact, and a spring engaging the base of said strip and pressing upon said tiltable plate to permit said plate to tilt beyond the circuit closing position, manually operated means to hold said tiltable plate rearwardly, and means operated by said timer to release said holding means to permit said tiltable plate to move forwardly to openV circuit position.

15. In an electric .time-controlled switch, a casing, a self-contained spring motor longitudinally slidable in said casing as a unit, saidunit including a main shaft to which said sprirg motor is rigidly secured against axial movement relatively thereto but being rotatable relatively thereto, an electric switch, means operated by the sliding of said shaft axially with said motor and the turning of said shaft to close said switch, means for lockingsaid motor in switch closing position, and means responsive to the running of said motor and operated bythe rotation of said shaft for unlocking said timing circuit and opening said switch at the expiration of a predetermined time interval.

16. In an electric time-controlled switch, a casing, a spring motor longitudinally slidable in said casing as a unit, said unit' including a main shaft to which said spring motor is rigidly seu cured against axial movement relatively thereto but being rotatable relatively thereto, an electric switch, said switch including movable and xed contacts and spring means for pressing said movable contact toward open circuit position, means operated by the sliding of said shaft axially with said motor and the turning of said shaft to close said switch, means for locking said motor in switch closing position, and means responsive to the running of said motor and the rotation of said shaft for unlocking said motor and opening said switch at the expiration of a predetermined time interval.

17. In a timer for controlling an operatable device, a casing, a clock movement longitudinally l slidable in said casing as a unit, said unit including a main shaft to which said spring motor is rigidly secured against axial movement relatively thereto but being rotatable relatively thereto, .spring means for resisting the sliding oi said movement, means to wind said clock movement and set it for a desired time interval, means actuated by the sliding of said movement and the turning of said shaft to start the operation `of said device, means to hold said movement in position to maintain said device in operation, and means responsive to the running down of said clock movement and the rotation of said shaft for releasing said movement at the expiration of the desired interval of time for permitting said spring means to return said movement to its initial position.

18. In a timerfor controlling an operatable device, a casing, a self-contained time-responsive unit longitudinally slidable in said casing and including a main shaft, means actuated by the sliding of said unit and the turning of said main shaft to start Athe operation of said device, and means responsive to the running of said timeresponsive unit for stopping the operation of said device.

FREDERICK LUX. 

